February News from Blackwater Wildlife Refuge

Friends of Blackwater

National Wildlife Refuge, Cambridge, MD

February Newsletter

1st Place Wildlife (Adult) - Joshua Galicki

2021 Photo Contest Winners!

The Friends of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge are excited to announce the winners of the 2021 Refuge Photo Contest, which is the first photo contest held at Blackwater NWR for adult and youth photographers. This inaugural contest attracted 122 photographers and 440 submissions covering the categories of wildlife, landscape and waterscape, and flora. Youths 13 and older were also invited to submit photos for similar categories.

Adult winners included Joshua Galicki (Wildlife), Tom Statas (Landscape/Waterscape), and Nic Kuvshinoff (Flora). Youth winners included Patrick Matthews (Wildlife), Savannah Elzey (Landscape/Waterscape), and Annabelle Horton (Flora). We thank everyone who entered and shared their wonderful photos with us! Winning photos can be seen on the Friends of Blackwater website.

Scholarship Deadline - March 15

The Friends of Blackwater offer scholarships to students who are pursuing careers in fish and wildlife management, environmental education and science, and related fields. Scholarships are available to students whose home residences are in Maryland and who will be entering their junior or senior year of college or a graduate program at the end of their present college term. We will be awarding up to three scholarships in the amount of $3000 to qualified applicants to be paid directly to their chosen academic institution. The application deadline is March 15. Please visit our Academic Scholarships page for more information and an application.

Great Horned Owls on Eagle Cam

The Friends of Blackwater manage several live wildlife cams at Blackwater NWR, and although the eagle couple abandoned our Eagle Cam nest, a pair of Great Horned Owls have adopted it. We don't know if they'll lay any eggs (they visited last year but didn't produce eggs), but it's been fun to watch them on the Eagle Cam. Check it out on our website! Also, see the video we captured showing what the female owl did when an immature Bald Eagle visited the nest.

Bird Walks - Change in Dates

Please note that two upcoming bird walks led by Terry Allen have changed dates. Terry will now be leading a walk on February 12th (not the 13th) and April 9th (not the 10th). See our Events Calendar for upcoming free bird walk dates and times.

Get Refuge Weather Info

If you're planning a visit to Blackwater NWR and you're not sure if the Wildlife Drive and Visitor Center are open due to poor weather, you can get the latest weather updates on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Blackwater NWR Facebook page.

Support Our Work at Blackwater

Consider becoming a member or renewing your membership with the Friends of Blackwater. You can also make a one-time donation to support our work.

If you'd like to learn more about our all-volunteer group and the importance of your membership, please check out our short video on YouTube. Anyone can become a member on our website for as little as $15. And if you're a current member, thank you so much, and please be sure to renew when you receive our notice in the mail (you can also renew online).

Connect With Us!

Friends of Blackwater

P.O. Box 1231

Cambridge, MD 21613

Join the Friends